The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1887-11-25


we thus designate, and in a sphere
made up Of small element Of literary
Bohemia and a large element of his
own idea; 50 that Tom Chatham's do
nestle trials were unknown to him,
and only a rumor reached him that all
was not as it should be in the Chatham
household. Now he thought he saw
great many things in a moment, and
he stammered and looked creditably
confused as he tried TO pass it off easily,
and remarked:
II am so pleased, Mrs. Chatham.
Tom is my oldest friend, you know,
though / have not seen him in years,
and don't hear much Of him. Why, it
must be a long time since 1 last saw
him"
Il haven't seen him in quite awhile
myself remarked Mrs. Chatham, a
little dryly. Then, clasping her hands
and leaning forward, she looked rather
fixedly at Mr.. Grey.
Il suppose you have heard various
things about us. she said, "and it
certainly is evident that ] am living
here alone. So if-that is-if you pre-
A1A AAOb W BG-AAOb W GOAbAuhO 1OAA
kindness TO Mrs Thomas Chatham,
under the circumstances, please be-
lieve you must do quite as you wish,
being my husbands oldest friend, you
know"
1T may have been the tone that
piqued him, or the effect of the scarcely
perceptible softening on the last words,
but certainly he had no desire to dis
continue his acquaintance with Mrs.
Chatham.
II should hope you were not quite in
earnest in expecting me to change my
wishes so lightly" he replied. Il
think was telling you only an hour
ago that L wanted to try and see some
thing of you while at this place, and
also believe you know me to be a man
of some decision. In fact, 1 am some
times described as obstinate"
So he saw her every day, and he
studied her every time he saw her,
and his story grew towards completion.
Often he wondered why she was living
in this way, but luckily his heroine had
no matrimonial difficulties, as her
tribulations all came before her mar
problem in his "study's" character.
And yet he wasted his time in thinking
of it.
One day. to his surprise. he received
letter from Tom Chatham:
DEAR RONALD: have just found out where
you are buried. My intention was TO write you
some time since, for think our correspondence
might be better sustained. For a man who
makes writing his business, you do about as
| little, gratuitously. as any one ever knew.
| don't intend to bore you much about my own
affairs 7 suppose you have heard OF them, and
there they rest. But, by the way, IN you should
happen 20 see Mrs. Chatham at your 6diHs dc
\ utsr, should rather like some news OF her.
\ She may possibly go there in the course o.
the summer. You Ecufd be doing me a ser
! vice. .
At this point Ronald dropped the
letter, looked at his watch. and seeing
it was time for q drive he had planned
with his s'study," thrust the unfinished
\ letter into his pocket and departed,
Either the pocket was shallow o
else there is a fate in these matters, fol-
in the course Of the afternoon, as ht
searched in his pocket for a piece of
manuscript, ont came Tom Chatham's
letter. A quick little exclamation
! made him look up. Mrs. Chatham had
turned white, but she managed to look
tolerably unconcerned as she said:
Wasn't that Mr. Chatham's han 4
WiingP thought recognized it, l
hope he is well. -
She spoke a trihe hurriedly, and
Grey was pleased to note that her tone
was Just what he had. described his
heroine as using under trying circum-
| stances.
"Quite well fancy. The truth is,
have not finished reading the letter +"
DO 50 now" she said, impulsively;
! and Ronald, after quick glance her,
obeyed.
As he read, and found the epistle
commonplace enough, he was con-
scious Of her quiet penetrating scru-
tiny.
ole is quite well, was his remark,
as he folded up the sheet.
A flash that looked like indignation
shown in the brown eyes.
Don't you think that when a woman
takes the trouble to inquire after any
\ one, she likes the answer little more
/ definite?" she said. Then quickly
turning to him, and laying a hand
that trembled very much on his arm:
do please tell me all about him,
Mr.. Grey" Sheer establishment kept
Grey silent seeing which, Mrs. Chat
ham gave a little gasp and turned so
white that Ronald was frightened.
"No," she said, with a wan smile,
don't look so alarmed; I am not going
to faint. Oh, how strange you must
think mer
And then TO cut short this unpleas-
ing dialogue, he took out the letter
and read her all the latter part, which
was an interesting compound of bust
ness prospects and hunting expert
euces. After winch. being an eccentric
man. he turned to Mrs. Chatham with
the question.
"Will you forgive me for being so
very importinent? I Just want TO ask
You something. If you want to know
about Tom, why on earth don't you
write him YOURSELF"
-because-oh, YOU can't
understand, but he wouldn't care for
the letter"
Begging your pardon, Mrs. Chath-
am, know he would.
Tho eyes opened wide.
Il really can't see what you mean, "
she said, with considerable dignity.
you cant Judge very well in this
matter. knowing nothing of the facts. -
/ There was moments silence; then
that audacious man said, very quietly;
Il wish youwould tell me the facts. -
II viii, she exclaimed. Why. she
never knew; sometimes she thought